AMA National Center
By Vince Mankowski
A significant undertaking was accomplished with the opening of the new structure. The major remaining task is to pay off the mortgage. Your help is requested.
History and background
AMA's new building, the National Center for Aeromodeling in Reston, VA, just celebrated its second year of service to model aviation. For almost 50 years, modelers dreamed of a permanent home for model aviation. In 1981 we began the building fund drive that helped make that dream a reality. By 1983 over $30,000 had been raised, which enabled us to secure financing for the $1.3 million project. That fund drive allowed AMA to end rent payments for office space and to begin buying equity in its own permanent home.
The success of the drive was due to all those who proudly wear the little gold brick pins and the silver, bronze, and gold building fund patches. Almost 700 AMA members and friends, along with 232 AMA Chartered Clubs, made donations of $50 or more.
As we complete our first 50 years, we can take pride in having established the National Center for Aeromodeling. As we begin our second 50 years, we have established a new goal: to completely pay off the mortgage on our new home. If every present AMA member were to donate $10 and every club were to donate $100, the entire debt would be retired.
Past proposals — and our approach
Over the last year a number of plans and suggestions have appeared in this magazine. Suggested methods to pay off the mortgage have included:
- One-time assessments of members
- Dues increases
- Initiation fees
- Various coupon schemes
- Other mandatory or compulsory ideas
Two traits we share as modelers point the way forward:
- We do not relish being told to do anything; we do not readily accept being forced to pay. Therefore, we dismiss the idea of any required payments such as assessments or dues increases.
- We enjoy a challenge. We strive to build better models, improve flying skills, and take pride in our clubs and events. A voluntary, competitive challenge fits our nature.
Tile recognition program (individuals)
In the 1981–83 fund drive many individuals were honored by having their names displayed in the lobby entryway of the new building. Since members have voiced a desire for permanent recognition, AMA will soon construct a new permanent display made up of tiles. Each tile will bear the name of an individual who makes a donation of $25 or more. Names will appear in the order donations are received. Assigned areas in the building will accommodate 100% participation of the membership. With membership expected to reach 100,000 in 1985, the most prominent spots will go quickly; the challenge is to be included early.
Thus far the following 15 people will be included:
- Arthur A. Adamisin
- William Altenhofen
- James H. Artz
- Stephen C. French
- Joseph L. Eiben
- Lewis Fenton Jr.
- David W. Hyatt
- John Kilsdonk
- Kenneth N. Knapton
- Harry Pastel
- Walter F. Bajkowski
- James W. Blair Jr.
- James A. Check
- Francis G. Dreson
- Edward Roznowski III
That's 15 down, 99,985 to go.
Clubs fund drive and Club Challenge
The Clubs Fund Drive offers a way for clubs to participate and be recognized. We hope to have 100% participation from the 1,746 AMA Chartered Clubs. A club need only send a donation of any size and one of its patches; the patch will be added to a colorful display in the museum.
To encourage participation, we have created the Club Challenge to keep track of club donations by district. Which of AMA's 11 districts will have the highest percent participation or reach 100% first?
Examples of the friendly competition:
- Jefco Aeromodelers (Colorado) donated $202 and challenged other clubs to meet or beat their contribution.
- Casper Aeromodelers (Wyoming) raised $210 and claimed leadership in District IX.
We currently have 369 club patches on display — our goal is to have all 1,746 clubs represented. We begin the club challenge with the Jefco Aeromodelers and the Casper Aeromodelers.
Ways to accomplish our fundraising goal
- Dismiss compulsory measures such as assessments or dues increases.
- Emphasize voluntary participation and the competitive spirit:
- Individual donations via the tile program ($25 or more) for permanent recognition.
- Club donations of any size with patch display and district competition.
Future articles will chronicle the progress and success of the drive and provide inside glimpses of activity here at aeromodeling's home.
Visitors, displays, and the value of the Center
There have been hundreds of visitors to the National Center for Aeromodeling in the last two years. Before they study the models, films, or displays, first-time AMA visitors will search the display of listed names and club patches to find their own names, the names of friends, and their club.
This facility is truly home. It safeguards the past, acknowledges the present, and provides for the future. New model displays, films, photos, and memorabilia are constantly being added. Individuals on vacation and entire clubs arriving on chartered buses form a steady stream through the facility.
As we begin the effort to retire our mortgage, we believe you will enjoy seeing the uses and rewards of this effort and will want to participate.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
